Who Are to Be Taken - Bible Study
WHO ARE TO BE TAKEN
Some claim that “all” the Church are to pass through the Tribulation (Chart No. 4); others that “all” the Church are to be caught out before the Tribulation, while some claim that only the “waiting” and “Watching” Saints shall be caught out before the Tribulation, and that the rest must pass through it. The latter base their claim on Heb. 9:28, where it says; “Unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” While this might apply to the living when He appears, it certainly cannot apply to the dead. There are tens and hundreds of thousands who “fell asleep in Jesus” who never heard of the Premillennial Coming of the Lord, or at least never grasped its meaning, and who therefore never “watched” and “waited” and “looked” for His Appearing. They surely are “In Christ”; and the “Dead in Christ” are to rise at the Rapture. Paul does not say in 1Thess. 4: 16, 17, that it will be the “dead” who “watched” and “waited” and “looked,” and those who are “alive” and “watch” and “wait” and “look” for His Appearing that shall be “caught out,” but the dead “In Christ,” and we who “Are Alive And Remain.”
The order of the Resurrection is - “Christ the ‘First Fruits,’ afterward they that ‘are Christ’s at His Coming.’ “Paul says - “Behold, I show you a Mystery; we shall not all ’sleep,’ but we shall ALL Be Changed.” 1 Cor.15:51.
Then there is another fact that we must not forget, and that is, the Unity of the Church. “For as the Body Is One, and hath many members, and ALL the Members Of That One Body, Being Many ARE ONE (BODY; so also, is Christ. For by One Spirit are we ALL Baptized Into One Body.” 1 Cor.12:12,13.
All then who have been “born again” (John 3:3-7) are part of Christ’s “Body,” and we cannot conceive of Christ’s “Body” being divided; part of it remaining “asleep” in the grave, and part of it “raised in glory”; part of it left to pass through the Tribulation, and part of it “changed” and caught up to meet Him in the air.
If “all” the Church are to pass through the Tribulation, then instead of waiting and watching “for the Lord,” we should be waiting and watching “for the Tribulation,” which is contrary to the
teaching of Christ Himself. Matt. 24:42-44.
The Tribulation is not for the perfecting “of the Saints.” It has nothing to do with the Church.
It is the time of “Jacob’s Trouble” (Jer. 30:7), and is the “Judgment of Israel,” and it is God’s
purpose to keep the Church Out Of It. Rev. 2: 10. The Book of Revelation is written in chronological order. After the fourth chapter the Church is seen no more upon the earth until she
appears in the nineteenth chapter coming with the Bridegroom “from” Heaven. The entire time
between these two chapters is filled with appalling judgments that fall upon those that “dwell on the earth,” and as the Church is not of the earth, but is supposed to “sit together in ‘Heavenly Places’ in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:6), she will not be among those who “dwell on the earth” in those days.
The confusion is largely due to the fact that students of Prophetic Truth do not distinguish between Christ’s coming FOR His Saints, and WITH His Saints. The former is called the “Rapture,” the latter the “Revelation.” Numerous passages in scripture speak of Christ coming “with” His Saints (Zech.14:5, Col.19 3:4, 1 Thess. 3:13, 1 Thess. 4:14, Jude 14), but it is evident that they cannot come “with” Him, if they had not been previously caught out “to” Him. All such passages refer therefore to the “Revelation” and not the “Rapture.”
The typical teaching of the Scriptures demand that the Church be caught out “before” the Tribulation. Joseph was a type of Christ and he was espoused to, and married Asenath, a Gentile
bride, during the time of his “rejection by his brethren,” and “before the famine, which typified the Tribulation, because it was the time of “Judgment of his Brethren.” This is the time of Christ’s rejection by “His Brethren”-the Jews, and to complete the type He must get His Bride the church, “before” the Tribulation.
Moses, who is also a type of Christ, got his bride, and she a Gentile, “after” his rejection by his brethren, and “before” they passed through the Tribulation under Pharaoh. Ex. 2:23-25. Enoch, a type of the “Translation Saints,” was caught out “before the Flood, and the Flood is a type of the Tribulation, and Noah and his family of the “Jewish Remnant” or 144,000 sealed ones of Rev.7:1-8, who will be preserved through the Tribulation.
How thrilling the thought that some of us shall not die, that in a moment, in the “twinkling of an eye” without being unclothed by the ghastly hands of Death, and instead of the winding sheet of the grave, we shall be instantly changed and clothed with the glorious garments of immortality.
What a transport of joy will fill our being as we suddenly feel the thrill of immortality throbbing
through our veins., and find ourselves being transported through the air in the company of fellow
Christians and of our loved ones who fell asleep in Jesus. What welcome recognitions and greetings there will be as we journey up with them to the “Bridal Halls of Heaven,” where we shall join in the new and triumphal song of Moses and the Lamb. Rev. 5:9,10.
WHAT WILL BECOME OF THOSE WHO ARE LEFT BEHIND?
This is a sad question, but it is eagerly asked by many. What saith the Lord?
“Then said one unto Him, Lord, are there FEW that be saved? And He said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait (narrow) gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in (when He comes), and shall not be able, when once the ‘Master of the House’ is risen up, and hath SHUT THE DOOR, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, open unto us; and He shall answer and say unto you, I know not whence ye are: then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in Thy presence, and Thou hast taught in our streets. But He shall say, I tell you, I KNOW YOU NOT WHENCE YE ARE; DEPART FROM ME, ALL YE WORKERS OF INIQUITY.” Luke 13:23-27.
The time of the closing of the door is revealed in the Parable of the “Ten Virgins.” It will be
when the Bridegroom comes, and those that are ready (the “Wise Virgins”) have gone in with Him to the “Marriage.” When the “Foolish Virgins” come later, and say “Lord, open to us,” He will answer – I KNOW YOU NOT.” That is, I never knew you. You were only mere professors. Then follow the words; “Watch therefore (be ready), for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh.” Matt. 25:1-13. Note that the persons shut out are not those who never heard the Gospel, but those who had been professing followers of Jesus, who had eaten and drunk in His presence and even gone out to meet Him.
It may readily be supposed that the taking away of loved ones at the Rapture will cause many of those left behind to seek the Lord, but as the Holy Spirit goes back with the Church, and for the
time being ceases His Office Work of Regeneration, who is to convert those who are left? There is a passage in Hebrews that has troubled many a sincere soul who has feared that they had committed the “Unpardonable Sin.” It is this;
“For if we sin (continue to sin) willfully after that we have received the knowledge (that is known about it) of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” Heb.10:26.
The preceding verse shows that this warning is connected with the Lord’s Coming - “So much the more, as ye see ‘The Day’ approaching – the “DAY OF THE LORD.” The expression there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,” implies that those who thus sin against their knowledge are without hope.
That there will be a “Great Multitude” saved after the Church is “caught out” in the “Time Space” between the “Rapture” and the “Revelation,” is clearly revealed in Rev. 7:9-17, and some
of them may be of those “left behind,” but they will have to pass through great tribulation and suffer a martyr’s death for refusing to worship the “Image of the Beast.” Rev. 13:11-17. And we read that; When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed (at the close of the Great Tribulation) from Heaven with His mighty angels, in “flaming fire” He shall take vengeance on them that “KNOW NOT GOD,” and that “OBEY NOT THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.”
2 Thess. 1:7-10. Let us not run the risk of being left behind.
WHAT HAPPENS BETWEEN THE RAPTURE AND REVELATION
After the Saints are “caught out” they are to be judged. This judgment takes place at the “Judgment Seat of Christ.” The Scriptures speak of five separate judgments. They differ in five
general aspects. As to “Subjects,” “Time,” “Place,” “Basis of Judgment” and “Result.” For a
complete description of these judgments see my larger Book on “Dispensational Truth.”
The judgment of the Believer is threefold. At the Cross as a “Sinner” for sin; this is Past.
John 5:24. As a “Son;” this is Present, and consists of “self-judgment” and confession, or else the punishment of chastisement. 1 Cor.11:31,32. As a “Servant;” this is future, and is a judgment for “Works” at the
“JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST”
“We must all appear before the ‘Judgment Seat of Christ,’ that every one may receive the things ‘done in the body’ according to that he hath done, whether it be ‘good’ or ‘bad’ (worthless).”
2 Cor. 5:10.
The pronoun “We” occurs 26 times in the chapter, and in every instance, it means the Believer, and the Epistle is addressed to the “Church” and “Saints” at Corinth, so the judgment here spoken of is for Believers “only.” The “Time” of this judgment is when the Lord comes
(1 Cor. 4:5), and the “Place” is “in the air” (1 Thess. 4:17) and before the judgment Seat of Christ. It will not be a judgment in the sense of a “trial” to see whether the judged are innocent (saved) or guilty (lost), for it is a judgment of the “saved only.” It will be like the judges’ stand at a Fair, or Race Track, where rewards are distributed to the successful contestants. Paul describes such a scene in 1 Cor. 9:24-27.
It is not a judgment for sin, but for “works.” This judgment is described in 1 Cor. 3:11-15.
“Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones (valuable building stones, as marble, etc.), wood, hay stubble; every man’s ‘Work’ shall be made manifest; for the ‘Day’ (Judgment Day) shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by ‘fire,’ and the fire shall try every man’s ‘work’ of what sort it is. If any man’s work ‘abide’ which he hath built there upon he shall receive a reward.’ If any man’s work shall be ‘burned’ he shall suffer ‘loss;’ but ‘he himself shall be saved;’ yet so as by fire.”
The result of this judgment is “reward” or “loss.” All our “bad” and “dead works,” represented by the wood, hay and stubble, will be consumed, and only our “good works” shall remain. There is much which passes for Christian service which is merely human and secular, and does not count in our eternal reward. For those who deserve a “reward” it will be The Crowning Day
After the Grecian games were all over the runners, wrestlers, and successful contestants assembled before the “Bema,” or judges’ stand, which was an elevated seat on which the Umpire sat, and the winners received a “corruptible crown” of “laurel leaves.” Some had no reward; they had lost the “Victor’s Crown.” But while there was no reward there was no punishment, they were not cast out.
The New Testament speaks of Five Crowns.
1. The Crown of “LIFE.”
This is the “Martyr’s” crown, and is mentioned twice.
“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation (testing), for when he is ‘tried’ (at the judgment Seat of Christ), he shall receive the ‘Crown of Life’ which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.” James 1:12.
“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer; behold, the Devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried (tested) and ye shall have tribulation ten days; be thou faithful ‘unto death,’ and I will give thee a ‘Crown of Life.” ‘Rev. 2:10.
Notice it does not say “until” death, but “unto” death. They were not to recant, but to remain faithful unto a martyr’s death. To recant was to lose the crown. This refers to the martyrs of the Tribulation Period.
2. The Crown of “GLORY.”
This is the Elders or “Pastor’s” crown, given by the Chief Shepherd when He shall appear. But it is not for those who serve for “filthy lucre” or “lord it over God’s heritage.” 1 Peter 5:2-4.
3. The Crown of “REJOICING.”
This is the “Soul Winner’s” crown. Those brought to Jesus by us will be our “crown of rejoicing” at His Coming. 1 Thess. 2:19, 20. Phil. 4:1.
4. The Crown of “RIGHTEOUSNESS.”
This is the crown of those who “love His appearing and will be given in ‘that day’ – the Day
of His Appearing. 2 Tim. 4:8.
5. The “INCORRUPTIBLE” Crown.
This is the “Victor’s” crown, and is for those who “keep under their body.” 1 Cor. 9:25-27.
Who do not yield to their fleshly lusts. Who do not permit themselves to be diverted from the work for the Master by worldly amusements and pleasure, nor saturate their body with drugs.
If we do not want to be “ashamed at His Coming,” 1 John 2:28, let us see to it that we keep our body “under” and so live that we shall secure a crown.
THE ROYAL WEDDING
After the Saints have been “caught out” and “judged,” they, as the “Church,” will become the “Bride of Christ.”
The “Marriage” of the Church is prophetically referred to by Jesus in the Parable of the “Marriage of the King’s Son” (Matt. 22:1-14), and is consummated in Rev. 19: 7-9.
“Let us be glad and rejoice and give honor to Him: for the ‘Marriage of the Lamb’ is come, and His wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of Saints. And he saith unto me, write, Blessed are they which are called unto the MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB.”
Notice that it does not say the “Marriage of the Bride,” but the “Marriage of the LAMB.”
That grand event will be not so much the consummation of the hopes of the Bride, as it will be the consummation of the plan of God for His Son, arranged for before the foundation of the World. Eph. 1:4. The “Marriage of the Lamb” is the consummation of the joy of Christ as a MAN. It would not have been possible if Christ had not been born in the flesh. Otherwise, it would have been the union of “dissimilar natures,” for the “Bride” is of “human origin.” This is why Jesus took His “human nature” back with Him to Heaven, and today we have in Heaven the MAN Christ Jesus. 1 Tim. 2:5.
While the “Bride” was chosen for Christ “before the foundation of the world,” the “espousal”
could not take place until Christ assumed humanity and ascended to Heaven as the Man Christ Jesus. There have been many long betrothals but Christ’s has been the longest on record. He has been waiting for His Bride nearly 2000 years, but He will not have to wait much longer. Soon Heaven shall resound with the cry;
“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him, for the Marriage of the Lamb is Come.” Rev. 19: 7.
There have been many royal weddings of international interest, where the invited guests and spectators witnessed a spectacle magnificent in its appointments, and rejoiced in a union that bound together different nations. But the wedding of the Lamb and His Bride the Church will surpass them all, for it shall unite Heaven and Earth in a bond that shall never be broken, for what God (the Father) shall join together, no man shall ever put asunder, and that union no divorce shall ever break.
The Bride shall be “arrayed in fine linen, clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of Saints.” Rev. 19:7, 8. The word “righteousness” is plural, and should read “righteousnesses.” Not the imputed righteousness of Christ, but the “righteous acts and works” of the saints themselves, that shall remain after they have passed through the “fiery test” of the “Judgment for Works” at the “Judgment Seat of Christ.” 1 Cor. 3:11-15. What a contrast there will be between the purple and scarlet colored dress, and jewel bedecked person, of the “Harlot Wife” of Antichrist (Rev. 17:3, 4), and the spotless white robe of fine linen of the Bride of the Lamb.
During the time occupied by the “Judgment of Believers” and the Marriage of the Lamb in
the Heavenlies, there will be awful times on the earth. The Jews will have, in large numbers, been gathered back to their own land, Palestine. About this time ten of the Nations occupying the territory of the old Roman Empire will enter into a Federation of Nations. Among the “Ten Kings” of those nations will arise the “Antichrist.” He will soon prove himself to be a “Great Ruler” and will be made PRESIDENT. The Government will be a “Democratic Monarchy.” The President will make a “Covenant” with the Jewish people. It may be a Covenant restoring to them their own land and recognizing their national existence. Whatever its character, the Prophet Isaiah speaks of it as a “Covenant with DEATH and HELL.” Isa. 28:15. For 3 1/2 years the President of the Federation will keep the Covenant. Then he will break it. For the balance of his reign 3 1/2 years, he will cause an awful persecution of the Jews, called by Jesus “The Great Tribulation.” Matt. 24:21,22.
In the Middle of this period, or at the time when Antichrist shall break the Covenant, there will be WAR IN HEAVEN